News & Events

News & Events

Grow More with Less: 4 Tips for a Water-Wise Desert Garden

October 5, 2026

Are you a would-be gardener that’s held back by the amount of water needed to care for plants? Believe it or not, it’s possible to grow a water efficient garden in the desert. Here are four ways we recommend making the most out of your garden without racking up your water bills:  1) Grow Native Plants  Plants native to the Sonoran …

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Fall Planting with ‘Water – Plant It Wisely’

September 28, 2026

The Fall Planting Season is Here! The fall planting season has arrived (really!), and cooler temps make it the perfect time to get your landscape back in shape. Maybe you lost a few plants during the record-hot summer, or maybe you’re ready to swap out high-water-use plants for water-thrifty ones. Either way, fall is the season to dig in! Water …

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Plant Native, Help Monarchs with Phoenix’s New Pollinator Plant Guide

September 21, 2026

September has come around again, and that means it’s Planting for Monarchs Month in the Phoenix area! 🦋 It’s a great time to think about which native species you might add to your yard or patio this fall. Native plants provide important food and habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators while supporting biodiversity in our urban areas. And the …

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Plant of the Month (to NOT Plant): Ryegrass or Winter Grass

September 14, 2026

To Overseed or NOT to Overseed… Most Americans love lush, green lawns, and many are willing to do whatever it takes to keep one. Nowhere is this act of defiance against nature more obvious than in the Arizona desert, especially in fall when the annual ritual of planting winter grass begins. You’ll hear lawnmowers whirring, see clouds of dust as …

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It Rained! Now What? Make the Most of Every Drop

September 8, 2026

Rain in the desert has a way of getting our attention. We step outside and take a deep breath to catch that unmistakable scent of desert rain – a fresh, earthy aroma known as petrichor, made even more distinctive by the fragrance of rain-soaked creosote. Then, we check the rain gauge. We send photos to friends or post them on …

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Save Water and Money: Start Here by Finding Your Local Conservation Programs

August 31, 2026

Do you know who provides your water — or what conservation programs are available right in your neighborhood? You may be surprised. Many Arizona residents don’t realize their water provider may be different from the city or town where they live. A quick address search can reveal who delivers your water. Moreover, it shows what resources are available to you …

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The Unknown Water Thief in Your Backyard

August 17, 2026

Arizona’s Colorado River outlook makes conservation at every scale more important than ever. One overlooked source of potable-water use may be hiding in the routine maintenance of backyard pools: cleaning cartridge filters with a garden hose, even though those filters can be professionally cleaned using reclaimed and recycled water. The Unknown Water Thief in Your Backyard Arizona homeowners are becoming …

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Plant of the Month: How Do Those Desert Plants Survive?

August 10, 2026

HOW PLANTS COPE WITH THE DESERT CLIMATE Desert plants tend to look very different from plants native to other regions. They are often swollen, spiny, and have tiny leaves that are rarely bright green. Their strange appearance is a result of their remarkable adaptations to the challenges of the desert climate. Aridity is the sole factor that defines a desert …

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Super El Niño? What could that mean for the Colorado River?

August 4, 2026

El Niño is often portrayed as a reliable weather pattern that brings wetter winters to the Southwest. While that has frequently been true in the past, it isn’t guaranteed. Every El Niño develops under different conditions, and this year’s event highlights just how complex these climate patterns can be. Several oceanic and atmospheric systems are interacting at the same time. …

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A Smarter Alternative to Draining Your Pool

July 31, 2026

Saving Thousands of Gallons-One Pool at a Time Traditional swimming pool draining wastes thousands of gallons of clean water. It can also put your pool at risk for cracks and leaks. Furthermore, pool water recycling is a smart alternative that helps conserve water and maintain your pool’s integrity. Mobile reverse osmosis offers a smarter, sustainable solution. It recycles your pool …

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Helping Arizona Communities Navigate Drought: Lessons from a Phoenix–ASU Partnership 

July 22, 2026

For decades, Arizona communities have worked together to help residents understand drought, conserve water and build a more resilient future in the desert. Arizona Water Conservation efforts have been advanced through regional partnerships like Water – Use It Wisely. Through these, cities, water providers and community organizations share practical information and resources. As a result, this helps residents make informed …

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Summer Water-Saving Activities with Wayne Drop

July 14, 2026

Don’t you just love summer?! Pool time, fun, games… and of course, water conservation!? Wait – what?!  Yes! You heard me right. Saving water during the hot summer months is important, especially in the Arizona desert. Because it gets so hot here, people often take more showers or baths. And, our plants in the landscape or swimming pools will use …

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